Enhanced additions for sports and portraits photography, and improved workflow with enhanced operations have been incorporated for the full-frame/FX-format mirrorless camera.

MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA – Nikon Middle East FZE. announces the release of firmware version 5.00 for its flagship full-frame/FX-format mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z 9, today. The firmware upgrade introduces features tailored to enhance sports photography, portraiture, and overall workflow efficiency for the professionals.

With Auto Capture improvements, the camera now houses several new features. The main upgrades include adding a reserve function that allows users to specify the shooting start date, time, and duration in advance.

Moreover, the new firmware upgrade now supports manual focus settings¹, giving photographers greater control over their shots. Improvements have been made to Auto Capture in which a slower option [C15] has also been introduced to prevent the capture of excessive shots while still allowing for HSFC image quality selection. The [C15] setting can be effectively used in tandem with the Pre-Release Capture. Also, [Airplanes] AF subject-detection have been added for further focusing accuracy.

The improved GUI enhances the overall user experience, while the allowanace of Auto Capture to be used with the DX (24x16) image area or when a DX lens is used, caters to various composition needs.

One standout feature is also the High-Frequency Flicker Reduction (HFFR) preset(s)², designed for frequencies commonly used by LED signboards. Users can easily adjust the value by pressing and holding the [High-Frequency Flicker Reduction] button on the menu. This eliminates manual trial and error when searching for the optimal shutter speed to minimise flicker.

Building on Nikon's reputation for excellence in portraiture, professionals and amateurs can now benefit from the Rich Tone Portrait setting. With enhanced skin rendering, this feature produces straight-out-of-camera images in wedding and studio shoots. It delivers a remarkably smooth look without extensive post-editing by meticulously preserving skin textures and achieving rich tonality while minimising white slipping. It also provides an image with a more pronounced contrast than the conventional Picture Control 'Portrait'. 

Additionally, since the details are preserved, the images are suitable as a base for retouching and enhancing. With the colour correction feature, users can now do so while checking the live-view monitor instead of going through the hassle of post-shoot editing. This assures the client's peace of mind during any review session, especially for those involved in pre-wedding, fashion, and advertisement shoots.

To ensure users can acquire quicker focus in dimly lit conditions, the LED light (white) on the Profoto A10³ will also serve as an AF-assist illuminator with the Z 9. This feature not only aids in precise autofocus but also proves invaluable when capturing portraits, especially when a subject's face is positioned at the edge of the frame.

With operations and display enhanced by the firmware version 5.00 upgrade, users can enjoy a more seamless picture-taking experience. The [Extended menu banks] enable users to manage photos and video shooting modes separately. The [Focus point thickness] has also been added to the focus point display, enabling the adjustment its outline thickness. When [Max. Aperture Lv during MF]⁴ is turned on for manual focusing, the live view display utilises the maximum aperture thus simplifying the identification of the focus peak during manual focusing.

The firmware upgrade also allows you to exit your zoom mode on the Z 9 camera with a half-press release, and it has also increased efficiency with the recall shooting (hold) function recall.

Additionally, you can now select auto image rotation information recording in EXIF, and there are enhancements to the Hi-Res Zoom feature. Furthermore, a new menu item called Customise Retouch Menu allows users to choose the functions displayed in the retouch menu, and the playback of a series of images from a burst of continuous shooting has been improved. Last but not least, video playback functionality has also been enhanced.

Other features to look forward to in the Nikon Z 9 firmware upgrade version 5.00 include:

• Improved display of ATOMOS UltraSync BLUE timecode 
• Bluetooth connection between ATOMOS UltraSync BLUE and the MC-N10 Remote Grip
• FTP upload improvements
• Port number setting added to the FTP connection wizard
• Change(s) to retry control when FTP connection error occurs
• Consistent file naming for resent images and voice memo files associated with them
• Saving of IP addresses acquired automatically, even after moving to a different location
• Expanded custom control functions

Firmware Ver 5.00 for the Nikon Z 9 will be made available at the Nikon Download Center on March 13, 2024.